The Giuliani road show finds a receptive Jewish crowd

He was almost an hour late, and the crowd, waiting patiently at the Bnei Israel synagogue in Rockville, MD, was somewhat less than impressive in number. But when Rudy Giuliani finally stepped onto the stage it was all cheers and claps. They might not vote for him (most American Jews are Democrats), but they seem to like him anyway. And he seems to like them back, or at least pretend to. He is, after all, a politician from New York running for President. Here are a couple of remarks on what he said and how he said it.

1.

An hour long presentation, including a Q&A session, and except for one question all Giuliani was talking about is terror and the war against radical Islam. Domestic issues seem to be an anathema for this specific campaign (or for this campaign at this particular campaign stop). Giuliani promised to stay "on offense" and to make sure that America has a proper understanding "of the nature of evil." It was the same theme he hammered earlier in the day appearing before the Christian students of Reverend Pat Robertson: "The one issue that dominates is the fact that Islamic terrorists are trying to kill us."


2.

Radical Islam is a term Giuliani used a lot. He is unhappy with those other candidates who seem to be reluctant to use it out of politeness, or political correctness, or plain ignorance. When he was watching the Democratic debates, he said, he noticed that not even one of the candidates used "Islamic terrorism" as a phrase. And no, he doesn't think all Muslims are radical, but he also will not be willing to diminish the problem and to say that only a marginal minority of Muslims are radical.

3.

He does not blame the Clinton administration for its incapacity to recognize the growing threat back in the nineties, but he keeps reminding the audience that it was indeed the Clinton administration that failed to respond properly to various attacks on Americans around the world - and in America itself (WTC first bombing). The nineties, Giuliani says, was the "decade of denial". Is it fair to assume that most people remember there's a Clinton running for President again?

4.

One of the most interesting trends among Republicans now, is the usage of the Gaza example to make a point on Iraq. If we listen to the suggestions coming from the Democratic side, Giuliani said, Iraq will end up like Gaza, but on a much larger scale. Do you really want such a development to occur? If not, stay the course. Newt Gingrich, not yet a candidate, made Gaza an example for America's difficulties in the war against terror in an article he wrote for the Washington Times earlier this week: As the forces of modernity are being ground up by terrorism, our political process is not producing a Churchill or Roosevelt to rally the democracies but is instead embracing advocates of surrender, withdrawal, and defeat.

5.

But Giuliani seems to think that the modern Churchill walks amongst us, masquerading as a former mayor of New York. He mentions the British Lion (no, it is not the new Mideast peace envoy Tony Blair) as he discusses the several cases of the past century in which the west failed to recognize "evil in its early stages." When he turns to Iran he doesn't mince words. "I'm going to assume that they are telling me the truth" when they say they want to eliminate Israel and to hurt America. Me must make it clear to the Iranians, he says, that a nuclear Iran is "just not going to happen."

6.

Giuliani mentions a couple of American Presidents, but singles out two of them. Jimmy Carter is the one name that's mentioned as an example of American confusion and weakness. The crowed laughs as his name is mentioned and the candidate gives them the biggest smile of the evening. Then he moves to Ronald Reagan and the release of American hostages from Iran. Giuliani know why those captured were released one hour after Reagan assumed office. It is that something they saw in his eyes meant business. And they need to see such eyes again.

7.

Giuliani seems to be uncomfortable as he talks about future policies vis-a-vis the Palestinians. On the one hand, he just had lunch with his friend Ehud Olmert, Israel's Prime Minister (being friends with Olmert is not necessarily a big advantage these days, but never mind) and he supports what Olmert is doing. On the other hand, Giuliani falls short of saying that strengthening Abbas is a wise move. He only seems to be tolerating it, as long as it is done with the proper cautious. And let him remind you once again that he once threw Arafat out of a Lincoln Center concert held in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. In hindsight, one must admit, this gives a more proper impression than it did back then.


More Giuliani on Rosner's Domain:

The Israel Factor: Giuliani still ahead

The Giuliani consensus

Nuclear military option on the Republican table